More funding has been secured in May 2011, to continue the refurbishment of Blackwood Park Pavilion in Streetly. In recent years funding has been obtained to provide secure fencing, and to improve the outside of the building. Now, a grant of £31,600 from the Cory Environmental Trust, topped up by further funding from Walsall Partnership Area manager John Morris, will help provide a new kitchen and toilet facilities as part of an internal makeover. It is hoped that the Pavilion will provide much needed accommodation for Streetly groups and park users and boost the number of park visitors. Walsall Council is also hoping to secure Green Flag status for Blackwood Park in the near future.

Blackwood Park was originally part of Foley Wood. In the 1920s there was a serious fire in the woods and people came from as far away as Dudley to help put it out. There was considerable damage to the trees and, due to their 'blackened' appearance, the area became known as 'Blackwood'. This piece of history is referred to in 'The Streetly Trail' by Charles Robertson, published in 1981 by the Walsall Local History Centre.

Pat Stockford,( Telephone 0121 353 8116 ) is the Chair of "Friends of Blackwood Park, Information about the 'Friends' and their meetings is publicised in Streetly Library, on the community noticeboard next to Garys shop on Blackwood Road, in shop windows and on shop noticeboards, in the Neighbourhood Watch magazine 'Scan', or see the Whats on & Events page

The Park has the following amenities:
Woodland
All weather multi-sports pitch
Children's play area for under 12s
Picnic benches
Tennis courts

The Park consists of all of the above plus a delightful area of woodland which attracts many different species of birds, butterflies and wildlife.

Friends of Blackwood Park is a small Community group set up to help protect Blackwood Park which is Streetly's only registered piece of parkland. The group has the support of Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council and meets monthly. It undertakes improvements to the Park particularly in the woodland, and ensures that the paths are maintained.

The outside of the Pavilion has recently been
refurbished and grants are now being applied for to renovate the interior so that the Pavilion can be used by the local community.

In July, 2010, the Friends helped to organise a 'Picnic in the Park' with face painting, badge making, a bouncy castle, the animal man, a story teller - and an invitation from Streetly Health Watch to sample some fresh fruits. The weather was excellent and many local families attended.

The Friends work closely with members of the Parks Department and are always grateful for this support.

Click pictures of Blackwood Park below to see the full size imagePictures of the park including Daffodils, trees, multi sports area, paths and nature walk, old bowling green, childrens play area, pavilion repairs and improvements and the damaged Notice Board.